Presenting Research: Tips

and Best Practices for Virtual

Events

March 26, 2021

Michelle Richards-Babb & Kevin Walden

Office of Undergraduate Research, West Virginia University

WVU’s 5th Annual, Virtual

Undergraduate Spring Symposium!

• Symposium launch at 11 am Sat. April 17, 2021

• Symposium presence expected ~1-5 pm

• All presentations judged! Prizes awarded!

• All are welcome to attend. RSVP for link.

What are the goals of a research

presentation?

Stimulate interest in your research

Receive feedback on your research

Network - generate contacts

expansion of research

job opportunities

include your email on your presentation

How do I attract people to my presentation?

To get attention & to capture attention…

use visually appealing layout of information,

colors, and fonts

invite people to view your virtual presentation

by emailing them a direct presentation link or

through the spring symposium RSVP

How do I attract people to my presentation?

To keep attention…

give a clear, logical, and interesting

presentation of your research

include only necessary information, focus on

data

use abbreviated writing style (i.e., omit non-

essential words)

Presentation should NOT be enlarged version of written report!!

I will be visible during my pre-recorded presentation.

How should I dress? Dress to Impress!! Business

casual, at minimum.

*photo by Nicole Barker: obtained from http://www.flickr.com/groups/postersessions/

*obtained from http://www.flickr.com/groups/postersessions/

Poster Presentation -

Preparation Guidelines

Poster Size? As this is a virtual event, any size poster can

be used. Posters limited to 1-page but…

Virtual posters can include additional panels that are "expanded

versions of figures on the poster" to facilitate and focus the

discussion during the 5-minute presentation (see example).

A poster that is no larger than 46 inches in height and 36 inches in

width may be useful, post-COVID, at in-person WVU-based and

statewide symposia.

If printing, be aware of ½ in margin on each edge.

Poster Title

Author(s)

Byline

Poster

Components

46 inches

in height max

36 inches (3 ft) in width max

WVU In-person Symposium

Poster layout should be

portrait mode!

How do I prepare my poster?

Use Microsoft PowerPoint or Publisher (or other presentation software).

However, Microsoft products compatible with WVU computers.

PowerPoint

Go to Design and then Slide Size - Custom and change width, height,

and orientation of page (e.g. width=36”, height=46”, & orientation =

portrait)

Click View followed by Zoom to zoom in (10% gives picture of overall

poster on screen) and out (100% gives actual size of text) as you

prepare the poster.

Publisher

When first open click on More Blank Page Sizes, then Custom, Create

New Page Size (or just go to Page Design and change page size) and

change page size to width=36” and height=46”.

Zoom in (10% gives picture of overall poster on screen) and out (100%

gives actual size of text) as you prepare the poster.

Plotter has tough time with gradient and/or busy backgrounds. Avoid!!

What components should I include on my poster?

See poster judging rubric. Include - Title: from abstract

Author(s): from abstract (no Dr./Prof. titles)

Byline/Author Affiliation: from abstract

Poster Body

Hypothesis/goals/problem statement (What’s the question?)

Motivation/purpose of research/broader impacts (Why care?)

Background information (limited and as needed)

Theoretical or Experimental Plan/Methods (Approach?)

Data/results (What did you find?)

Conclusions (What do your results mean? Did they answer the question?)

Future work/directions (Next steps?)

References (if needed, 5 or fewer, shorten, on bottom)

Acknowledgements (Who funded/helped with work?)

Typically, do NOT include the abstract on your poster!!

How should I present my research if I do

not have results? For national/regional discipline-specific research

conference, typically present only completed

research.

For our institutional symposium, it is understood that

your research may be in progress.

No results yet? Recommended language for

presentation: “Preliminary results indicate that…..”

“We expect our results to confirm…..”

Be sure to check with your faculty research mentor.

Guidelines of Poster DOs…

Colors

Use light background with dark lettering. Uses less ink and more readable.

Use text colors consistently (e.g., main headers in dark blue, subheadings in tan, rest of text in black)

Limit to 3-4 compatible colors

(Not red on black) (Not green w/red)

Guidelines of Poster DOs…Text

Left justify most text except title/author/affiliation

Use bold, italics, underlining consistently, but sparingly

Use easy to read font - Times New Roman (text) or Arial (headings/title)

Use large font size

Title 72 point (visible 15 ft away)

Author/Byline 48 point

Headings/Subheadings 44 point (visible 6-7 ft away)

Text 32 point (visible 3 ft away)

Minimize complete sentences

Make title/headings compelling/attention grabbing similar to a newspaper headline.

State results explicitly in headings (e.g. Results: Rats ingesting pot live longer!). Attracts attention from far away.

HINT…Print out a “handout” version on an 8 1/2” x 11” piece of paper. If textis unreadable on handout, then text is too small. Increase the font size.

Guidelines of Poster DOs (cont)…

Layout

Arrange top to bottom then left to right

Use bulleted/numbered lists for methods/conclusions

Include some white space

Use arrows or numbered headings to direct reader

Use good balance of graphics and text

Use symmetric arrangement

Good Layout: Vertical Symmetry Good Layout: Horizontal & Vertical

Symmetry

Good Layout: Diagonal Symmetry Poor Layout: No Symmetry & Text Heavy

Make visually appealing!!

*Obtained from : Hess, G., Tosney, K., and Liegel, L. Creating Effective Poster Presentations,

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/CreatePosterLayout.html.

Good Layout: Vertical Symmetry Good Layout: Horizontal & Vertical

Symmetry

Good Layout: Diagonal Symmetry Poor Layout: No Symmetry & Text Heavy

Make visually appealing!!

*Obtained from : Hess, G., Tosney, K., and Liegel, L. Creating Effective Poster Presentations,

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/CreatePosterLayout.html.

Guidelines of Poster DOs (cont)…

Graphics

Viewable 3 feet away at a minimum

Use heavier lines to improve viewing

Text should support graphics (not vice versa)

Limit rows/columns in tables (> 20 table cells

overwhelms)

Limit bars on graph (6 or fewer) or lines (3 or fewer)

On separate graphs: use same scale (especially for

comparisons)

Guidelines of Poster DOs (cont)…

Graphics

Use graphics over text whenever possible

Images/graphs > flow charts (e.g., for methods) > tables

> bullet lists > text

Pictures – use jpeg format instead of tif (smaller size)

Use white background within graphics

Label legend directly on graphic. Legend outside of

graphic takes up space.

Simple, polished, and publication quality

Try for 40% graphics, 40% empty space, and 20% text.

Guidelines of Poster DOs (cont)…

Poster Content

Minimize methods section (unless poster is about new

method)

Throughout, stay focused and keep to message

Focus message more on results

Interpret results in conclusion section (don’t restate

results again!).

Place results in context within the broader research field.

Guidelines of Poster DON’Ts….. Use fluorescent color - attention grabbing but visually

annoying

Use pastel colors for text – hard to read!

Use text anywhere that is smaller than 24 point Can you read this 10 point font?

Clutter with text

Use complete sentences and wordy paragraphs (< 50 words

per section)

Use cheesy clip art

Use annoying/busy/distracting background

Use dark or gradient background

Postscript plotting feature has major issues with gradient

backgrounds. Avoid gradient backgrounds in order to

minimize printing time!

Overall: Simple is better!

*Accessed from Purrington, C. Designing Conference Posters,

http://colinpurrington.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bad-scientific-poster-example.jpg.

*Pigs in Space Poster Example(see http://colinpurrington.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bad-

scientific-poster-example.jpg)

Use simple rubric to assess this poster. See

https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/posters/60second.html.

Poster Critiques

*Obtained from : Hess, G., Tosney, K., and Liegel, L. Creating Effective Poster Presentations,

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/CreatePosterLayout.html.

Better Research Poster in Less Time – New

Poster Design (Poster 2.0) Sweeping the

Conference Circuit

Developed by Mike Morrison (psychology grad student at

Michigan State U.)

Frustration with perceived lack of efficiency of poster

events for presenter and attendee prompted him to

develop a sleek poster design.

Poster Design (Poster 2.0)

New Poster Design –

Main research finding in center in plain language and large

font.

QR code below where can find more info.

Side panels for title, authors, byline and typical poster info.

For more information, see:

How to create a better research poster in less time

YouTube Video

NPR (6/11/19 All Things Considered) “To Save the Science

Poster, Researchers Want to Kill it and Start Over” article

Poster 2.0 Templates

What should I do for the audio part of my

poster presentation?

Give an overview of your project (5 min. max) using your

poster visuals.

Start broad (w/impact), then move on to more focused

information.

Non-expert should be able to understand!

Avoid jargon/acronyms!

What should I include in my project

overview?

In the overview you should display: Project knowledge (Main focus of research?

Importance/impact? Explain Results/Conclusions?)

Logical presentation (Clear/coherent? Refer to poster

visuals?)

Background information/understanding (as evidenced

by ability to explain project)

Presence (Speak clearly? or Read from poster?)

Ability to answer questions about your research

(evidence of project knowledge)

Before recording, practice your poster presentation and limit to 5 minutes!!

Overall Poster Should Be…

Focused

Coherent

Ordered

Visual

Graphic

Poster is expanded and visual form of abstract!

Poster should stand alone and tell your research story

without you present AND with minimum words!

Oral Presentation -

Preparation Guidelines

1.Tell what going to tell them forecast

* simple

* gear to all

2.Tell them body

* more complicated

* gear to experts

3.Tell them again summary/

* simple conclusions

* gear to all

General Strategy (15 minutes max.)

- DO KISS

Oral Presentation DOs…..

- DO KISS

Oral Presentation DOs…..

- DO KISS

No not KISS, the rock band!! But…..

Keep It Simple Stupid!!

Oral Presentation DOs…..

- DO KISS

No not KISS, the rock band!! But…..

Keep It Simple Stupid!!

- DO know your material.

- DO leave out material you can’t explain.

- DO use pictures instead of words.

- DO practice. Practice a lot!

- DO assume 2 minutes/slide.

- DO speak up.

- DO look at audience/camera.

- DO check for erors (or is it errors?).

- DO use ≥ 18 pt font.

- DO act confident.

- DO explain completely charts/graphs & point out titles/units for axes.

- DO exude enthusiasm for your research!

Oral Presentation DOs…..

Oral Presentation DON’Ts…..- DON’T use acronyms and jargon. If must use - define and remind.

- DON’T face or block the screen.

- DON’T include an outline slide.

- DON’T be messy.

- DON’T cover w/words. Minimize full paragraphs/sentences.

- DON’T act bored.

- DON’T swear.

- DON’T include extra material.

- DON’T run over time.

Title slide (Title, Authors, Affiliation)

Motivation Slide: Why should we care about this research? What is the “big

picture” of why doing this research?

Background Info: Limited and only if needed.

Hypothesis/Objectives: What want to do and why? What’s the question? How do

objectives attempt to solve outstanding problem/issue in this field of research? (i.e.,

before we can get to the “big picture” we have to understand ________)

Theoretical/Experimental Plan/Methods: What have you done and how? What

are going to do and how? What is your approach?

Data/Results (~3 slides): What are results up to this point? What did you find?

Use graphs to show trends. Pictures are good. Tables of data not good but better

than words. Completely explain all results/graphs, etc. Take ownership of your

results.

Conclusions: What have you learned? What do your results mean and did you

answer the question? What still needs to be addressed? Display in bullet form.

Future Work/Directions: What are you going to do next (future studies)?

References: Include as needed throughout (partial citation at bottom of slides) or

include references in one slide at end.

Acknowledgements: Who funded/helped with work?

What slides should I include in my oral presentation?

Do NOT include the abstract !!

Audio Recording

Recording Your Presentation

Combine audio and visual elements. How? Be creative. Use any

device with the capacity to capture audio and visual input (e.g.,

laptop, camera, smartphone)

Record simultaneous audio and video of yourself standing in front

of your projected presentation or artwork.

Add audio to a poster or presentation within PowerPoint and

export the presentation as a video file (mp4). Upload video file

directly to personal YouTube channel to generate a url.

Microsoft's instructions on how to record audio within

PowerPoint presentation, please click here.

Instructions from Microsoft employee on exporting PowerPoint

to a video file, please click here.

If needed, use video or web conferencing software to record your

presentation (e.g., Zoom or Collaborate Ultra)

Recording Your Presentation

Presentation Examples

WVU’s 2020 Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium

2021 Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Other examples and resources

After your experience, be sure to thank:

your faculty research mentor,

secondary mentors (graduate students, postdocs, etc.)

with whom you have worked, and

any other folks who have helped you in your project.

Remember: Faculty who mentor UGs in

research/creative work consider it an opportunity to

train and enable the next generation to carry on the

enterprise of scholarly activity in their field.

Emblems,

Acknowledgements, and

Financial Support

Include one type of WVU Emblem (perhaps at

bottom and not too large): see http://brand.wvu.edu/brand-guide/identity/logo for more

logos and logo no-nos.

Include acknowledgements and emblems: Ask

research mentor BUT…place at bottom/end and

don’t make them too large

Do include financial support: Ask research mentor!

Do include financial support: Ask research mentor

WVU SURE

Sponsored in part by the West Virginia Research Challenge Fund through a grant

from the Division of Science and Research, HEPC and in part by (i) the WVU

Provost’s Office, (ii) the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and

Design, (iii) the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, (iv) the Statler College of

Engineering and Mineral Resources, (v) the School of Medicine, (vi) the Colleges

of Creative Arts, Education and Human Services, and Business and Economics,

(vii) the Honors College and (viii) the Departments of Chemistry and Biology.

SURE/LSAMP

Sponsored by NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) KY-WV

Mid-Level Alliance Phase II (LSAMP-1305039) grant with partial funding through

SURE.

Resources

WVU Resources

How to Prepare for a Poster Session by WVU’s Ian Harmon:

https://libguides.wvu.edu/c.php?g=903129&p=6500445

Poster Printing Info at WVU Libraries:

https://lib.wvu.edu/services/printing/poster/

WVU’s SpeakWrite Website: http://speakwrite.wvu.edu/

External Resources Humorous Advice on Designing Conference Posters by Colin Purrington (Swarthmore College):

https://colinpurrington.com/tips/poster-design/

Impactful Scientific Posters (ACS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=215&v=J-

SRWog-5Is

Designing Effective Research Posters by Justin Matthews (California State University, Monterey

Bay): http://graduatestudent.ucmerced.edu/jmatthews/Site/Designing_Effective_Research_Posters.html

Creating Effective Poster Presentations by George Hess, Kathryn Tosney and Leon Liegel (NC

State University):http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/ & 60-Second Poster Evaluation by George

Hess (NCSU): https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/posters/60second.html

Humanities Poster Tips (from NYU):

https://wp.nyu.edu/archivesandpublichistory/2014/05/13/poster-tips-for-humanities-conference-

posters/

Posters for Humanities and Social Sciences by Aimee Roundtree (UHD):

https://www.uhd.edu/academics/sciences/scholars/Documents/workshop-poster.pdf

Giving an Effective Poster Presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=606&v=vMSaFUrk-FA

Great collection of Flickr posters, some good and some not so good:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/368476@N21/pool/